Push-to-connect joint assembly and device

ABSTRACT

A push-to-connect joint assembly, device and method include a fitting formed with an interior wall having axially inner, axially intermediate and axially outer portions that facilitate re-use and repair of push-to-connect fittings and valves without damage to the fitting or valve elements or the pipe, and without coining, gluing or threaded engagement of parts. In embodiments, a packing arrangement inserted into a fitting includes a sealing member, a fastening ring, a seat ring, and a retainer including a shield member and/or a seat retainer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fluid, refrigerant and gas flowsystems, and more particularly to a push-fit joint assembly, device andmethod that facilitates the simple connection, disconnection, repair andre-use of piping and tubing system parts without threading, welding,soldering or brazing.

BACKGROUND

Piping systems exist to facilitate the flow of fluids (e.g., liquid, gas(such as air) or plasma). For example, homes, schools, medicalfacilities, commercial buildings and other occupied structures generallyrequire integrated piping systems so that water and/or other fluids canbe circulated for a variety of uses. Liquids and/or gases such as coldand hot water, breathable air, glycol, compressed air, inert gases,cleaning chemicals, waste water, plant cooling water and paint andcoatings are just some examples of the types of fluids and gases thatcan be deployed through piping systems. Tubing and piping types caninclude, for example, copper, stainless steel, CPVC (chlorinatedpolyvinyl chloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). For purposes ofthe present disclosure, the term “pipe” or “piping” will be understoodto encompass one or more pipes, tubes, piping elements and/or tubingelements.

Piping connections are necessary to join various pieces of pipe and mustbe versatile in order to adapt to changes of pipe direction required inparticular piping system implementations. For example, fittings andvalves may be employed at the ends of open pieces of pipe that enabletwo pieces of pipe to fit together in a particular configuration. Amongfitting types there are elbows, “tees”, couplings adapted for variouspurposes such as pipe size changes, ends, ball valves, stop valves, andpartial angle connectors, for example.

In the past, pipe elements have been traditionally connected by brazing,welding and/or soldering them together using a torch. Brazing pipefittings can be time-consuming, unsafe, and labor intensive. Brazingalso requires employing numerous materials, such as copper pipes andfittings, emery cloths or pipe-cleaning brushes, flux, silver solder, asoldering torch and striker, a tubing cutter and safety glasses, forexample. The process for brazing pipes can proceed by first preparingthe pipe to be brazed, as the copper surface must be clean in order toform a good joint. The end of the pipe can be cleaned on the outsidewith emery cloth or a specially made wire brush. The inside of thefitting must be cleaned as well. Next, flux (a type of paste) can beapplied to remove oxides and draw molten solder into the joint where thesurfaces will be joined. The brush can be used to coat the inside of thefitting and the outside of the pipe with the flux. Next, the two pipesare pushed together firmly into place so that they “bottom out”—i.e.,meet flush inside the fitting. The tip of the solder can be bent to thesize of the pipe in order to avoid over-brazing. With the pipes andfitting in place, the torch is then ignited with the striker or by anauto-strike mechanism to initiate brazing. After heating for a fewmoments, if the copper surface is hot enough such that it melts whentouched by the end of the solder, the solder can then be applied to thejoint seam so that it runs around the joint and bonds the pipe andfitting together. Once the joints are brazed, the systems can be cleanedand purged with an inert material.

In recent years, push-fit technology has been employed with pipingsystems to reduce the dangers and time involved in brazing joints.Push-fit methods require minimal knowledge of pipe fittings and involvefar fewer materials than brazing. For example, one may only need thepipes, quick-connect fittings, a chamfer/de-burring tool and tubingcutter in order to connect pipes using push-fit technology.

The steps involved in connecting piping systems using push-fittechnology can be outlined as follows. First, the pipe is cut to theappropriate length and the end of the pipe is cleaned with thede-burring tool. Then the pipe and fitting are pushed together forconnection. The fitting is provided with a fastening ring (also called acollet, grip ring or grab ring) having teeth that grip the pipe as it isinserted. The fastening ring device is employed to provide opposingenergy, preventing the device from disconnection while creating apositive seal. Accordingly, no wrenches, clamping, gluing, brazing orsoldering is involved. Push-fit and/or quick connect technology forpiping systems can be obtained, for example, through Quick FittingHolding Company, LLC of Warwick, R.I., USA, suppliers of the CoPro®,ProBite®, LocJaw™, BlueHawk™, CopperHead® and Push Connect® lines ofpush fittings and related products. Also, such technology is described,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,862,089; 7,942,161; 8,205,915;8,210,576; 8,398,122; 8,480,134; 8,844,974; 8,844,981; 9,671,049;9,777,873; 9,816,655; 9,816,656; 9,819,165; 9,822,912; 9,857,006;9,879,810; 9,920,866; 9,923,354; 10,094,500; 10,096,981; 10,180,202;10,291,009; 10,400,929; 10,461,514; 10,670,173; and 10,700,506, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

In past push on pipe coupling technology, the fastening ring is insertedinto the fitting body along with a plastic grip ring support thattypically fails under extensive tensile testing. Further, the couplingmust then be either coin rolled, glued or receive a threaded cap memberto retain the fastening ring inside the fitting body. In addition to theadded steps for the manufacture and assembly of the coupling, thestrength of the plumbing joint is determined by the retaining capmember. The additional steps and components add significant labor andmanufacturing costs to the final product cost and reduce the overallproduction capability due to the extensive time required for properassembly.

In addition to the above, when using a threaded retaining cap method,the process of cutting threads into the fitting body and the retainingcap elevates the cost of machining the fitting components. Further, thethreaded end cap method requires mechanical assembly as well as theadded cost and application of a thread sealant to the threads. In priorefforts that employ a coined retaining cap method, the process ofcoining the fitting body as the retaining cap significantly increasesthe cost of final assembly of the fitting. Additionally, the coiningprocess permanently encapsulates the fastening ring inside the fitting,whereby the fastening ring cannot be removed without completedestruction of the ring and fitting.

Along with additional assembly steps and increased manufacturing costs,past pipe fittings and connection methods do not allow repair forvarious reasons. In some cases, this is because they are factory sealed,for example. In other cases, it is because the separation of the fittingfrom the pipe can damage or induce wear on the parts. For example, somepush-to-connect fittings provide permanently fixed demounting rings forremoving the fittings. The demounting rings can be depressed axially tolift the fastening ring teeth off of the surface of the inserted pipe,such that the pipe can then be withdrawn. This arrangement, however, cansubject the fittings to tampering and shorter life. In addition, whilefastening ring devices work effectively as an opposing retaining member,their functionality makes them nearly impossible to dismount, remove ordetach for re-use. The fastening rings are thus permanently affixedunless they are cut and removed, which then destroys the fastening ring.

Whether connected by traditional brazing methods or with push-fitmethods, past efforts have been specifically provided for the connectionof like materials and lack the ability to connect two unlike materials,such as copper with CPVC, PEX or stainless steel, or any othercombination of unlike materials. Past methods further invariably requirethe replacement of fittings and valves, and do not allow re-use of thefittings or valves in instances where only a small internal componentneeds to be repaired or replaced. Further, past products and methods donot provide enhanced protective retainers among various packingcomponents such that, in the event of degrading or catastrophic failureof internal parts, such parts would be precluded from separating ormoving out of the fitting.

With regard to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)applications, there can be difficulties in changing out elements of thejoint assembly, regardless of whether brazing or push-fit methods haveoriginally been used.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides, in part, a push-to-connect jointassembly that facilitates the re-use of push fittings without damage tothe fitting internal elements, the fitting or the pipe. Embodiments ofthe present disclosure can be connected using no tools, threading,clamps, brazing or glues, while creating a leak-free seal at theconnected joining area. Further, embodiments of the present disclosurecan join both like and unlike piping elements without pressing, welding,brazing or threading the elements into place. As described, variousembodiments of the present disclosure can withstand up to 5,000 poundsof pressure or more and are employable in air condition refrigerationlines within an HVAC environment.

Embodiments of the quick connection pipe joint assembly provided as partof the present disclosure employs a release pusher that, when removed,exposes the clamping, sealing and fastening mechanisms of the fitting.The release pusher moves axially and can push the fastening ring of thepresent disclosure in order to facilitate the release of a cylindricalobject such as a piping element held within the fitting.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a push fittingjoint assembly including one or more of a sealing ring member, a sealingring spacer, a fastening ring, a seat ring, a shield member, a seatretainer and a release pusher member. The shield member and/or the seatretainer represent elements of a retainer abutting the seat ring wheninstalled. The shield member provided as part of the present disclosurecan be configured so as to be slidable into the fitting and snapped intoplace during installation prior to the seat retainer. The shield membercan be provided with flat or substantially flat sides to drop intoposition at an angle other than perpendicular to the central axis of thefitting. No coining is necessary in order to insert the shield member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a piping joint assemblypackage in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fitting in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the fitting of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the fitting taken along line4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are right side and front views, respectively, of asealing ring in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are left side and front views, respectively, of afastening ring in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sealing ring spacer in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the sealing ring spacer of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the sealing ring spacer of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a seat ring in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the seat ring of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the seat ring taken along line12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are right side and front views, respectively, of ashield member in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a seat retainer in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a back view of the seat retainer of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the seat retainer taken along line18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 19-19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a seat retainer body plug segmentin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a release pusher in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the seat retainer taken along line22-22 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a fitting with joint assembly installed inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a front cross-sectional view of the fitting taken along line24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 25-25 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a front cross-sectional view a fitting with joint assemblyand piping installed in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 27-27 of FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter areshown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presentlydisclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications andother embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thepresently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosedsubject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodimentsdisclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended tobe included within the scope of the appended claims.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “tube”, “pipe”,“piping”, “conduit”, “conduit element” or “piping element” will beunderstood to encompass one or more pipes, tubes, conduits, pipingelements and/or tubing elements, and may be used interchangeably.Further, for purposes of the present disclosure, a fitting can encompassa valve member and other piping elements including, but not limited to:a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valvemember, tubing and other objects having substantially cylindricalopenings. Further, for purposes of the present disclosure, a fitting(also referred to as a body member or main body component) can encompassa valve member and other piping elements including, but not limited to:a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valvemember, tubing and other objects having cylindrical openings.

In various embodiments, one or more sealing member gasket inserts (e.g.,sealing ring members) fit within a sealing ring compartment defined inand/or machined into the interior surface of the fitting. In addition,at each pipe receiving end of the fitting, a tube support membercompartment is machined into the interior to retain at least a portionof the packing arrangement. The fitting interior is formed to provideintegrated support for the sealing member(s) and fastening ring whenopposing force is applied to piping elements that have been insertedinto the fitting. In various embodiments, a release pusher facilitatesconnection and disconnection of piping elements. Other methods, devicesand arrangements associated with the present disclosure are describedherein.

It will be appreciated that reference to “a”, “an” or other indefinitearticle in the present disclosure encompasses one or more than one ofthe described element. Thus, for example, reference to a sealing ringmay encompass one or more sealing rings, and so forth.

The fitting and joint assembly components provide integrated support forthe sealing member(s) and fastening ring when opposing force is appliedto piping elements that have been inserted into the fitting. In variousembodiments, a retaining ring and shield member are employed within aretaining ring support compartment machined into the interior wall ofthe fitting to provide additional support for the fastening ring and tocooperate with the release pusher to facilitate connection anddisconnection of joint assembly components.

According to embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 27, the push-fitpiping joint assembly 10 includes a fitting (i.e., fitting body member)12 having an interior wall 13 and an exterior wall 15. The inner wall 13forms a cavity 14 extending along a central axis 16 that extends axiallythrough the fitting 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the interior wall 13 of the fitting 12includes a first segment 17 separated from a second segment 18 by aradially inwardly extending tube stop 20. In alternative embodiments, notube stop is present. Further, in still other embodiments, the axiallyinner portion 30 is formed with a slight taper such that it extendsslightly radially outwardly as it extends axially outwardly from theinterior of the fitting 12. The first 17 and second 18 segments can beformed so as to include a sealing ring compartment 22, a fastening ringcompartment 24 and a retainer compartment 26. These compartments 22, 24,26 may be part of different axially intermediate portions 32, 34, 36, 38of the fitting interior wall 13. As further shown in FIG. 4, an axiallyinner portion 30 of the interior wall 13 extends axially outwardly froma radial wall 21 of the tube stop 20 to a first divider edge 23. Thetube stop 20 has a radius A from the axis 11 and the axially innerportion 30 has a radius B from the axis 11 which is greater than radiusA. A first axially intermediate portion 32 of the interior wall 13extends axially outwardly from the first divider edge 23 to a seconddivider edge 25, and the first axially intermediate portion 32 has aradius C from the axis 11 that is greater than radius B. The seconddivider edge 25 has a radius D from the axis. The first axiallyintermediate portion 32 corresponds to the sealing ring compartment 22and has first 41 and second 43 sealing ring walls and a sealing ringfloor 45 in which one or more sealing rings 70 can be maintained. Asecond axially intermediate portion 34 of the interior wall 13 extendsaxially and radially outwardly from the second divider edge 25 to athird divider edge 27, and the second axially intermediate portion 34has a radius E from the axis 11 that is greater than radius A, radius Band radius D but less than radius C. In various embodiments, such asshown in FIG. 4, the second axially intermediate portion 34 and seconddivider edge 25 are formed as a spacer gland 33 machined into thefitting 12.

A third axially intermediate portion 36 of the interior wall 13 extendsaxially outwardly from the third divider edge 27 to a fourth divideredge 29, and the third axially intermediate portion 36 has a radius Ffrom the axis 11 that is greater than radius A, radius B, radius C,radius D and radius E. The third axially intermediate portion 36corresponds to the fastening ring compartment 24 and the radiallyextending fastening ring support wall 37 that helps form the thirddivider edge 27 can support the axially inner surface 152 of the base 73of the fastening ring 74 when inserted, as described elsewhere herein.The third axially intermediate portion 36 also provides a fastening ringsupport floor 49 in which the base portion 73 of a fastening ring 74 canreside when installed.

A fourth axially intermediate portion 38 of the interior wall 13 extendsaxially outwardly from the fourth divider edge 29 to a fifth divideredge 31, and the fourth axially intermediate portion 38 has a radius Gfrom the axis 11 that is greater than radius A, radius B, radius C,radius D, radius E and radius F. An axially outer portion 40 of theinterior wall 13 extends axially and radially outwardly from the fifthdivider edge 31 to an axially outermost edge 35, and the axially outerportion 40 has a radius H that is greater than radius F and less thanradius G. The axially outer portion 40 can be angled axially andradially outwardly as shown in FIG. 4 so as to facilitate insertion ofjoint assembly elements and piping elements during operation. Similarly,first divider edge 23 can be angled axially and radially outwardly asshown in FIG. 4 so as to facilitate insertion of piping elements duringoperation. In various embodiments, second divider edge 25 extendsaxially between the first 32 and second 34 axially intermediate portionsand radius D is substantially the same as radius B to facilitate eveninsertion of piping elements during operation. In this way, seconddivider edge 25 forms a tube engaging platform for engaging the sidewalls of inserted tubes or pipes. In some embodiments, radius D isslightly less than radius B, which provides added stability to theassembly when a pipe or tube is inserted into the fitting 12. Inembodiments where the axially inner portion 30 is formed with a taper asdescribed above, the radius B is not constant but rather isprogressively larger upon extending axially outwardly from the interiorof the fitting 12. In various embodiments, the second axiallyintermediate portion 34 has a spacer wall 47 extending axially andradially outwardly from the tube engaging platform or second divideredge 25 to the third divider edge 27, which can be considered an axiallyouter edge of the spacer wall 47. In various embodiments, the fourthaxially intermediate portion 38 includes a retainer support wall 50extending radially outwardly from the fastening ring support floor 49and a retainer support floor 52 extending axially outwardly from theretainer support wall 50. In various embodiments, the fourth axiallyintermediate portion 38 corresponds to the retainer compartment 26.

It will be appreciated that the tube stop 20, axially inner portion 30,axially intermediate portions 32, 34, 36, 38, axially outer portion 40and related compartments 22, 24 and 26 are formed as part of theinterior wall 13 of the fitting 12 through hydroforming or similarmethods. In this way, the internal portions and compartments within thefitting 12 are sized with the varying radial depths described above soas to receive packing arrangement elements for desired operation asdescribed herein. For example, the fitting 12 maintains a profile andstructure that permits it to house the elements of the packingarrangement as described herein, while retaining significant strength towithstand up to 5000 pounds of pressure or more. It will further beappreciated that the fitting with compartments and tube stop comprises amonolithic, integrated structure.

In various embodiments, the tube stop 20, axially inner portion 30,axially intermediate portions 32, 34, 36, 38, axially outer portion 40and related compartments 22, 24 and 26 are formed with varying axiallengths to further facilitate packing and operation of the fitting withjoint assembly elements for desired operational tolerances. For example,axially inner portion 30 can have an axial length P, first axiallyintermediate portion 32 can have an axial length Q, second axiallyintermediate portion 34 can have an axial length R, third axiallyintermediate portion 36 can have an axial length S and fourth axiallyintermediate portion 38 can have an axial length T. In variousembodiments, the first axially intermediate portion axial length Q isgreater than the axially inner portion axial length P. Also, the axiallyinner portion axial length P can be greater than each of the second R,third S and fourth T axially intermediate portion axial lengths.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 4,the fitting 12 may be formed with different thicknesses at differentintervals to support operation and stability of the fitting 12. Forexample, the fourth axially intermediate portion 38 can be bound by afitting body thickness X, the third axially intermediate portion 36 canbe bound by a fitting body thickness V, the first axially intermediateportion 32 can be bound by a fitting body thickness Y and the axiallyinner portion 30 can be bound by a fitting body thickness Z, whereinthickness Y is at least thirty percent thicker than thicknesses X, V andZ. The increased thickness Y provides added support to the sealing ringcompartment 22 as a tube is inserted into and withdrawn from the fitting12.

In various embodiments, joint assembly internal components and/or apacking arrangement according to the present disclosure can include oneor more of: a sealing ring member 70 (which can be optionallylubricated), an optional sealing ring spacer 72, a fastening ring 74, aseat ring 76, a shield member 78, a seat retainer 80 and a releasepusher 82. In various embodiments, the fastening ring 74, sealingmember(s) 70, sealing ring spacer 72 and release pusher 82 each have aninternal diameter that allows for smooth and snug engagement of a pipingor tubing element external surface (92 in FIGS. 26 and 27), whereas theshield member 78 and seat retainer 80 do not contact any piping ortubing element inserted into or removed from the fitting. Further, therelease pusher 82 does not contact fitting interior wall 13 duringoperation. The fitting 12 is substantially hollow, in the sense that theinterior wall 13 defines a pipe receiving opening 14 extending axiallytherethrough. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the jointassembly, the sealing ring members 70 are positioned together in matingcontact without a sealing ring spacer 72. In various embodiments,sealing ring members 70 are joined or formed together as a singlemonolithic unit to create a combination seal without a sealing ringspacer 72.

In various embodiments, the fitting 12 can be forged CW617N brass, withfull porting and full flow fitting, for example. The lubricant for theone or more sealing members 70 can be a food grade lubricant, forexample. It will be appreciated that the sealing members 70 can comprisea flat ring or washer-type seal member in addition or as an alternativeto a circular member of substantially circular cross-section with aninterior surface 140 and exterior surface 142 as shown in FIGS. 5A and5B. The fastening ring 74 can comprise a spring steel formulation, forexample, that enables the fastening ring to be malformed duringinstallation, while springing back into its originally manufacturedposition once installed. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 26 through 27, thefastening ring 74 is capable of grabbing an inserted pipe's externalsurface 92 via two or more teeth 75 to ensure connections cannot bepulled apart. The fastening ring teeth 75 are angled downward from thesubstantially cylindrical perimeter or base 73 of the ring 74 andaxially inwardly, such that when the pipe 90 is inserted, the teeth 75exert a pressure against the pipe 90 to discourage the pipe 90 fromslipping or moving back out of the fitting 12. The spacer wall 47 of thesecond axially intermediate portion 34 of the interior wall 13 of thefitting 12 is angled such as shown in FIG. 4 to permit flexing of thefastening ring teeth 75 to a limited degree as the release pusher 82moves the teeth 75 axially inwardly during operation to facilitateinsertion or removal of a piping element 90. The fastening ring base 73has a radially outer surface 150, an axially inner surface 152 and anaxially outer surface 154 for engaging other surfaces when installed asdescribed herein. The fastening ring teeth 75 have an axially outersurface 175 which can be engaged by an axially inner surface of the seatring 76 when installed as described herein. No wrenches, solder,welding, glue and/or twisting and turning the elements are required toform a connection. Specifically, the combination of the sealing ring(s)70, fastening ring 74, seat ring 76, shield member 78 and seat retainer80 provide a push-fit piping assembly when inserted into any cylindricalfitting (e.g., 12) in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

In various embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 24 through 27,one or more sealing members 70 is of sufficient size to firmly fitwithin the sealing ring compartment 22, against the sealing ring floor45 and between sealing ring walls 41, 43 of the first axiallyintermediate portion 32 of the fitting 12. The base portion 73 of thefastening ring 74 is of sufficient diameter to firmly fit within thefastening ring compartment 24 with the axially inner surface 152 of thebase 73 against fastening ring support wall 37 of the third axiallyintermediate portion 36 of the interior wall 13 of the fitting 12 whenthe device is assembled. In various embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 7through 9 and 25, sealing ring spacer 72 includes a radially outersurface 171, a radially inner surface 174, an axially inner wall 172 andan axially outer wall 173, wherein the sealing ring spacer 72 ispositioned within the sealing ring compartment 22. In variousembodiments, the sealing ring spacer axially inner 173 and/or outer 174walls are adapted to be in mating contact with the sealing ring 70, suchas by being formed with a concave shape. The radially outer surface 171of the sealing ring spacer 72 can engage the sealing ring floor 45 andthe radially inner surface 174 can engage an inserted pipe externalsurface 92 during operation. The radially inner surface 174 can assistin guiding a pipe 90 over the sealing ring(s) 70 for proper alignment.

As shown in FIGS. 10 through 13 and 24 through 27, the seat ring 76 caninclude a base 160 formed with a radially inner tooth support 162. Theseat ring base 160 has a radially outer surface 164 which can contactthe fastening ring support floor 49 of the third axially intermediateportion 36 of the interior wall 13 of the fitting 12 during operation.The seat ring base 160 further has an axially inner wall 166 and anaxially outer wall 167. The axially inner wall 166 engages the fasteningring base axially outer surface 154 when installed. The radially innertooth support 162 extends axially and radially inwardly from the seatring base 160 and is provided with an axially inner surface 168, anaxially outer surface 169 and a radially inner surface 165. The radiallyinner surface 165 slidingly engages the outer surface of the releasepusher 82 when installed. The axially inner surface 168 of the seat ringradially inner tooth support 162 engages at least a portion of theaxially outer surface 175 of the fastening ring teeth 75 when installedand provides resistance to the natural pullback of the teeth 75 when apipe 90 is being removed from the fitting 12. In various embodiments,the seat ring 76 is formed of metal or metal alloy, such as steel, forexample. Also, in various embodiments, the axially inner surface 168extends at an acute angle M of between approximately five andapproximately sixty degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the shield member 78 is ring-shaped andprovided with axially inner 270 and outer 272 faces, a radially innersurface 274 and a radially outer surface 275. In various embodiments,the radially inner surface 274 is substantially cylindrical and permitssmooth sliding engagement with the release pusher 82, and the radiallyouter surface 275 is not cylindrical. In various embodiments, theradially outer surface 275 is formed with at least two parallel,diametrically opposed edge segments 276 and further is formed with atleast two non-parallel, diametrically opposed edge segments 277. In thisway, the shield member 78 can be easily maneuvered into place in thefourth axially intermediate portion 38 of the fitting interior wall 13when being installed and removed. Once inserted, as shown in FIGS. 24through 27, the radially outer surface 275 can engage the retainersupport floor 52 and the axially inner face 270 can engage the retainersupport wall 50. It will be appreciated that, due to the shaping of theshield member 78, the radially inner surface 274 is not in full contactwith the release pusher 82. The shield member 78 can be formed of metal,for example.

As shown in FIGS. 16 through 20 and 24 through 27, the seat retainer 80is formed to permit desired flexion and support. A multi-level radiallyouter surface 180 and a multi-level radially inner surface 182 are shownin FIG. 19, along with an axially inner surface 183 and an axially outersurface 184. An axially outer segment 185 of the multi-level radiallyouter surface 180 extends axially inwardly from the axially outersurface 184 to a radially outwardly extending ledge 191, and an axiallyinner segment 186 of the multi-level radially outer surface 180 extendsaxially inwardly, and, in various embodiments also radially inwardly,from the ledge 191 to the axially inner surface 183. An axially innersegment 188 of the multi-level radially inner surface 182 extendsaxially outwardly from the axially inner surface 183 to a radiallyinwardly extending rampart 189, and an axially outer segment 187 of themulti-level radially inner surface 182 extends axially outwardly fromthe rampart 189 to an axially back wall 190. The axially back wall 190can extend axially and radially outwardly form the axially outer segment187 of the multi-level radially inner surface 182 to the axially outersurface 184 of the seat retainer 80. In various embodiments, the seatretainer 80 is formed with one or more openings or slots 195 formed byopposing side walls 193, 194 and back wall 197 that are formed andextend through portions of the radially outer surface 180 and radiallyinner surface 182 of the seat retainer 80. In various embodiments, theseat retainer can be stamped, formed or machined from plastic or metalalloys. In various other embodiments, the seat retainer is formed of ashape memory alloy (SMA) material. SMA is a hybrid blend of materialsuch as nickel and titanium which can flex and return to a previousstate or shape depending upon factors such as pressure, heat andcooling.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the seatretainer 80 is split with opposing inner faces 192 and 202 forming afull slot 204 in the main body segment 205 of the seat retainer 80. Insuch embodiments, a body plug segment 207 can be provided as shown inFIG. 21, with surfaces 180, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190and 191 corresponding to the same labeled surfaces of main body segment205 in FIGS. 16 through 19. It will be appreciated that the body plugsegment 207 can be positioned between the pair of opposing inner faces192, 202 of the main body segment 205 to form a completed ring shape asshown in FIG. 23. With a removable body plug segment 207, the seatretainer 80 can be more readily manipulated into and out of theinstalled position. Further, each of the plurality of slots 195 permitflexibility and/or mild bending of the seat retainer 80 duringoperation. It will be appreciated that the plurality of slots 195 can beformed equidistantly around the circumference of the seat retainer 80.In various alternative embodiments, the seat retainer 80 is a continuousring and no slot 204 or body plug segment 207 is employed. Further,according to some embodiments, no slots 195 are employed.

Regardless of whether the seat retainer 80 is split, the axially outersegment 187 of the multi-level radially inner surface 182 supports asliding engagement with the release pusher 82 during operation. Theaxially outer segment 185 of the multi-level radially outer surface 180engages the fifth divider edge 31 and extends into the axially outerportion 40 of the fitting interior wall 13. The axially inner segment186 of the multi-level radially outer surface 180 can be angled asdescribed elsewhere herein and thus does not fully engage the retainersupport floor 52 of the fourth axially intermediate portion 38 of thefitting interior wall 13 when installed. Rather, a gap 210 asrepresented in FIG. 25 can exist between the axially inner segment 186and the retainer support floor 52 to permit radial movement of the seatretainer 80 during operation. The axially inner surface 183 can engagethe axially outer surface 172 of the shield member 78 for support wheninstalled. Rampart 189 of the seat retainer 80 can act to support a wingof the release pusher 82 during operation. The seat retainer 80 and theshield member 78 can be considered an overall retainer 79 of the deviceas shown in FIG. 1, either independently or together according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the seat ring 76and shield member 78 can be formed together as a single monolithic unitaccording to different embodiments of the disclosure. In still otherembodiments, the seat ring 76, shield member 78 and seat retainer 80 canbe formed together as a single monolithic unit. In such embodiments, theoverall retainer 79 can thereby include the seat ring 76, shield member78 and seat retainer 80.

As shown, for example, in FIGS. 21 through 22 and 24 through 27, therelease pusher 82 is substantially cylindrical and includes an interiorsurface 220, an axially outer exterior surface 222, an axially innerexterior surface 223 and an external tip 224. The release pusher 82further includes an annular retaining edge 225 extending radiallyoutwardly of the axially outer exterior surface 222, wherein the annularretaining edge 225 includes an axially inner engaging wall 226 extendingradially and axially outwardly from the axially inner exterior surface223.

Shield member 78 can be designed and positioned such that it does notcontact the axially inner exterior surface 223 of the release pusher 82during operation, so as to minimize any resisting force on the operationof the release pusher 82. However, it will be appreciated that invarious embodiments, the shield member radially inner surface 274engages at least a portion of the inner exterior surface 223 of therelease pusher 82 during operation to provide stabilization and support.In various embodiments, the release pusher 26 can comprise aninjection-molded plastic material or a metal material such as brass, forexample. When pressure is applied on the back edge 230 of the releasepusher 82, the external tip 224 can engage the inside surface 175 of thefastening ring teeth 75, and the annular retaining edge 225 canremoveably engage rampart 189 of the seat retainer 80, as shown in FIGS.24 through 27.

In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 24 through 27, the fitting 12of the present disclosure is provided and one or more sealing members 70are inserted into the sealing ring compartment 22. The sealing ringspacer 72 can be inserted in the sealing ring compartment 22 such thatone or both of the concave axially inner walls 172, 173 abut a curvedsurface of the sealing ring(s) 70. Next, the fastening ring 74, seatring 76 and retainer 79 can be inserted, where the retainer 79 caninclude one or both of the shield member 78 and seat retainer 80. Thefastening ring 74 and seat ring 76 are inserted into the fastening ringcompartment 24 and the retainer 79 is inserted in the retainercompartment 26. Next, the release pusher 82 is inserted so as toslidingly engage at least the axially outer segment 187 of themulti-level radially inner surface 182 of the seat retainer 80, whenemployed, and the radially inner surface 165 of the seat ring 76. Asdescribed elsewhere herein, the release pusher 82 can also slidinglyengage the edge segment 177 and/or 176 of the shield member 78.

When the release pusher 82 is pushed axially inward toward the tube stop20, the external tip 224 pushes the back face 175 of the fastening ringteeth 75 to create room for a pipe 90 to be inserted all the way to thetube stop 20, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. The teeth 75 can be movedinto the gap 250 between the teeth 75 and the spacer wall 47 when pushedaxially inwardly and can flex back against the axially inner surface 168of the seat ring radially inner tooth support 162 when the releasepusher 82 is released. In various embodiments, the teeth 75 are formedwith a length L (FIG. 6B) that is sufficient to grab and modestly deforman inserted pipe 92 but without puncturing the pipe 92. The sealingmembers 70 provide a strong, leak-free seal and the fastening ringprohibits any inclination the pipe may have to slide out of position. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 26 and 27, an inserted pipe 92 can be formed ofmany materials, but in the instance of soft copper, an inserted pipe canbe deformed as at 260 by the fastening ring teeth 75 digging in toresist retraction of the pipe 92. In various embodiments, the number ofteeth 75 in the fastening ring 74 is particularly important, as too manyteeth in a given area may prevent the pipe 92 from releasing properly,whereas too few teeth may not provide sufficient resistance to aninserted pipe 92.

The disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure beingindicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A push-to-connect joint assembly,comprising: a fitting body comprising an interior wall and an exteriorwall, wherein the interior wall defines a cavity extending axiallythrough the fitting body, wherein the fitting body further comprises afirst segment comprising an axially inner portion, an axially outerportion and first, second, third and fourth axially intermediateportions, wherein the axially inner portion comprises an axially innerportion radial depth, wherein the first axially intermediate portioncomprises a first sealing ring wall extending radially outwardly fromthe axially inner portion, a sealing ring engaging floor extendingaxially outwardly from the first sealing ring wall and a second sealingring wall extending radially inwardly from the sealing ring engagingfloor to a tube engaging platform, wherein the tube engaging platformcomprises a platform radial depth equal to or less than the axiallyinner portion radial depth, wherein the second axially intermediateportion comprises a spacer wall extending axially and radially outwardlyfrom the tube engaging platform to an axially outer edge of the spacerwall, wherein the third axially intermediate portion comprises afastening ring support wall extending radially outwardly from theaxially outer spacer wall edge and a fastening ring support floorextending axially outwardly from the fastening ring support wall,wherein the fourth axially intermediate portion comprises a retainersupport wall extending radially outwardly from the fastening ringsupport floor and a retainer support floor extending axially outwardlyfrom the retainer support wall; at least one sealing ring positionedwithin the first axially intermediate portion; a fastening ringcomprising a base portion and a plurality of teeth, wherein the baseportion comprises an axially inner surface, an axially outer surface anda radially outer surface, wherein the base portion is positioned withinthe third axially intermediate portion and wherein the axially innersurface is in mating contact with the fastening ring support wall,wherein the plurality of teeth of the fastening ring extend axially andradially inwardly of the base portion, wherein each of the plurality ofteeth comprises an axially outer surface; a retainer comprising a seatring, wherein the seat ring comprises a seat ring base comprising anaxially inner wall, an axially outer wall and a radially outer surface,wherein the seat ring is formed such that a radially inner tooth supportextends axially and radially inwardly from the seat ring base and suchthat the axially inner wall of the seat ring engages the axially outersurface of the base portion of the fastening ring and the axially outersurface of each of the plurality of teeth; a sealing ring spacerpositioned within the first axially intermediate portion, wherein the atleast one sealing ring comprises a pair of sealing rings positioned inmating contact with the sealing ring spacer.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the retainer further comprises a ring-shaped shield member inmating contact with the seat ring axially outer wall.
 3. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a seat retainer, wherein theseat retainer comprises an axially inner surface, an axially outersurface, a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, andwherein at least a portion of the radially outer surface is in matingcontact with the retainer support floor of the fourth axiallyintermediate portion of the interior wall.
 4. The assembly of claim 3,wherein the radially outer surface of the seat retainer comprises aledge and further extends from radially and axially inwardly from theledge to the axially inner surface.
 5. The assembly of claim 3, whereinthe axially inner wall of the seat retainer is formed with a pluralityof equidistantly spaced slots.
 6. The assembly of claim 3, wherein theseat retainer is formed as a main body segment and a body plug segment,wherein the main body segment is formed with a slot between a pair ofopposing inner faces of the main body segment, and wherein the body plugsegment is positionable between the pair of opposing inner faces to forma ring shape.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a releasepusher maintained in sliding engagement with the retainer.
 8. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a ring-shaped shieldmember and a seat retainer, wherein the ring-shaped shield membercomprises an axially inner face in mating contact with the seat ring. 9.The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first segment is separated from asecond segment by a radially inwardly extending tube stop, and whereinthe axially inner portion extends axially outwardly from the tube stop.10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the axially inner portion comprisesan axially inner portion axial length, the first axially intermediateportion comprises a first axially intermediate portion axial length, thesecond axially intermediate portion comprises a second axiallyintermediate portion axial length, the third axially intermediateportion comprises a third axially intermediate portion axial length, thefourth axially intermediate portion comprises a fourth axiallyintermediate portion axial length, and wherein the first axiallyintermediate portion axial length is greater than the axially innerportion axial length.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the axiallyinner portion axial length is greater than each of the second, third andfourth axially intermediate portion axial lengths.
 12. The assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the axially inner wall comprises a radial depth, thefirst axially intermediate portion comprises a first axiallyintermediate portion radial depth, the second axially intermediateportion comprises a second axially intermediate portion radial depth,the third axially intermediate portion comprises a third axiallyintermediate portion radial depth, the fourth axially intermediateportion comprises a fourth axially intermediate portion radial depth,and wherein the fourth axially intermediate portion radial depth isgreater than the third axially intermediate portion radial depth. 13.The assembly of claim 1, wherein the axially inner portion comprises aradial depth, the first axially intermediate portion comprises a firstaxially intermediate portion radial depth, the second axiallyintermediate portion comprises a second axially intermediate portionradial depth, the third axially intermediate portion comprises a thirdaxially intermediate portion radial depth, the fourth axiallyintermediate portion comprises a fourth axially intermediate portionradial depth, and wherein the fourth axially intermediate portion radialdepth is greater than the third axially intermediate portion radialdepth.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the third axiallyintermediate portion radial depth is greater than the first axiallyintermediate portion radial depth.
 15. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe fitting body varies in thickness such that the fitting bodythickness bounding the first axially intermediate portion of the fittinginterior is greater than the fitting body thickness bounding the fourthaxially intermediate portion, the third axially intermediate portion andthe axially inner portion.
 16. A push-to-connect joint assembly,comprising: a fitting body comprising an interior wall and an exteriorwall, wherein the interior wall defines a cavity extending axiallythrough the fitting body, wherein the fitting body further comprises afirst segment comprising an axially inner portion, an axially outerportion and first, second, third and fourth axially intermediateportions, wherein the axially inner portion comprises an axially innerportion radial depth, wherein the first axially intermediate portioncomprises a first sealing ring wall extending radially outwardly fromthe axially inner portion, a sealing ring engaging floor extendingaxially outwardly from the first sealing ring wall and a second sealingring wall extending radially inwardly from the sealing ring engagingfloor to a tube engaging platform, wherein the tube engaging platformcomprises a platform radial depth equal to or less than the axiallyinner portion radial depth, wherein the second axially intermediateportion comprises a spacer wall extending axially and radially outwardlyfrom the tube engaging platform to an axially outer edge of the spacerwall, wherein the third axially intermediate portion comprises afastening ring support wall extending radially outwardly from theaxially outer spacer wall edge and a fastening ring support floorextending axially outwardly from the fastening ring support wall,wherein the fourth axially intermediate portion comprises a retainersupport wall extending radially outwardly from the fastening ringsupport floor and a retainer support floor extending axially outwardlyfrom the retainer support wall; at least one sealing ring positionedwithin the first axially intermediate portion; a fastening ringcomprising a base portion and a plurality of teeth, wherein the baseportion comprises an axially inner surface, an axially outer surface anda radially outer surface, wherein the base portion is positioned withinthe third axially intermediate portion and wherein the axially innersurface is in mating contact with the fastening ring support wall,wherein the plurality of teeth of the fastening ring extend axially andradially inwardly of the base portion, wherein each of the plurality ofteeth comprises an axially outer surface; a retainer comprising a seatring, wherein the seat ring comprises a seat ring base comprising anaxially inner wall, an axially outer wall and a radially outer surface,wherein the seat ring is formed such that a radially inner tooth supportextends axially and radially inwardly from the seat ring base and suchthat the axially inner wall of the seat ring engages the axially outersurface of the base portion of the fastening ring and the axially outersurface of each of the plurality of teeth, wherein the retainer furthercomprises a seat retainer, wherein the seat retainer comprises anaxially inner surface, an axially outer surface, a radially innersurface and a radially outer surface, and wherein at least a portion ofthe radially outer surface is in mating contact with the retainersupport floor of the fourth axially intermediate portion of the interiorwall, wherein the axially inner wall of the seat retainer is formed witha plurality of equidistantly spaced slots and wherein the seat retaineris positioned within the fourth axially intermediate portion.
 17. Apush-to-connect joint assembly, comprising: a fitting body comprising aninterior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the interior wall defines acavity extending axially through the fitting body, wherein the fittingbody further comprises a first segment comprising an axially innerportion, an axially outer portion and first, second, third and fourthaxially intermediate portions, wherein the axially inner portioncomprises an axially inner portion radial depth, wherein the firstaxially intermediate portion comprises a first sealing ring wallextending radially outwardly from the axially inner portion, a sealingring engaging floor extending axially outwardly from the first sealingring wall and a second sealing ring wall extending radially inwardlyfrom the sealing ring engaging floor to a tube engaging platform,wherein the tube engaging platform comprises a platform radial depthequal to or less than the axially inner portion radial depth, whereinthe second axially intermediate portion comprises a spacer wallextending axially and radially outwardly from the tube engaging platformto an axially outer edge of the spacer wall, wherein the third axiallyintermediate portion comprises a fastening ring support wall extendingradially outwardly from the axially outer spacer wall edge and afastening ring support floor extending axially outwardly from thefastening ring support wall, wherein the fourth axially intermediateportion comprises a retainer support wall extending radially outwardlyfrom the fastening ring support floor and a retainer support floorextending axially outwardly from the retainer support wall; at least onesealing ring positioned within the first axially intermediate portion; afastening ring comprising a base portion and a plurality of teeth,wherein the base portion comprises an axially inner surface, an axiallyouter surface and a radially outer surface, wherein the base portion ispositioned within the third axially intermediate portion and wherein theaxially inner surface is in mating contact with the fastening ringsupport wall, wherein the plurality of teeth of the fastening ringextend axially and radially inwardly of the base portion, wherein eachof the plurality of teeth comprises an axially outer surface; a retainercomprising a seat ring, wherein the seat ring comprises a seat ring basecomprising an axially inner wall, an axially outer wall and a radiallyouter surface, wherein the seat ring is formed such that a radiallyinner tooth support extends axially and radially inwardly from the seatring base and such that the axially inner wall of the seat ring engagesthe axially outer surface of the base portion of the fastening ring andthe axially outer surface of each of the plurality of teeth, wherein theretainer further comprises a seat retainer, wherein the seat retainercomprises an axially inner surface, an axially outer surface, a radiallyinner surface and a radially outer surface, and wherein at least aportion of the radially outer surface is in mating contact with theretainer support floor of the fourth axially intermediate portion of theinterior wall, wherein the seat retainer is formed as a main bodysegment and a body plug segment, wherein the main body segment is formedwith a slot between a pair of opposing inner faces of the main bodysegment, and wherein the body plug segment is positionable between thepair of opposing inner faces to form a ring shape, and wherein the seatretainer is positioned within the fourth axially intermediate portion.